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Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Army issues new combat trucks to field units in
Caraga

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 21 (PIA) – A newly acquired 27
KM450 and seven KM451 purchased from South Korea were recently issued to
supplement the existing operational military trucks and to enhance the mobility
capability of the army troops deployed at the battalion headquarters in Caraga
region.

Rev. Fr. Joshue Cadorna, rector of Order of
Discalced Augustinians and Fr. Catalino Mabale led the ceremonial blessing of
the 34 newly-acquired military vehicles held at the Advance Command Post, Camp
Bancasi, this city.

The provision of the conveyance assets also aims to
upgrade the capability of the military personnel as they perform internal and
external operations and to provide operation convenience of medical staff and
patients.

The KM451 units, which serve as military ambulance
will be utilized not only by the soldiers but also by the civilian patients. It
is fully airconditioned and complete with emergency medical treatment equipment
and drugs.

According to MGen Benjamin Madrigal Jr., commander
of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Phil. Army, aside from acquisition of
the new military trucks they have also improved the coordination with the
hospitals through a memorandum to provide a speedy medical response in order to
save more lives.

“It is part of the continuous modernization program
in which these vehicles will serve as transportation equipment for humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief operations,” said Madrigal.

Meanwhile, Lt Col Rey Pasco, commanding officer of
the 4th civil-military operations battalion, Phil. Army was grateful for the
additional KM units. He assured that they will see to it that the vehicles will
be mobilized accordingly to really serve its purpose, and that proper
maintenance and driving protocols will be observed by the personnel incharge.
(VLG/PIA-Caraga)

5 NPA rebels surrender in Surigao del Sur

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 21 (PIA) – Five members of the
New People’s Army (NPA) went back voluntarily to the folds of the government
after realizing how tough and distressful the many struggles they had faced
staying with the communist group.

The former rebels claimed that they were members of
the Komiteng Rebolusyonaryo sa Munisipalidad (Municipal Revolutionary
Committee) established by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) - NPA in
the outlaying localities in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.

With the help of the 75th Infantry (Marauder)
Battalion, said former rebels had the better opportunity to return to the
mainstream society. They were able to turn over to the government six M16
rifles, 22 magazines, five bandoliers and bullets in the presence of MGen.
Benjamin Madrigal, commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine
Army.

When asked on how would they handle those former
rebels who have pending cases, MGen. Madrigal bared that legal proceedings will
continue to be carried out. “On the other hand, those who desire to join the
army service must first qualify with the requirements and comply everything
that is necessary,” said Madrigal.

As expressed by alias "Dodong," they
withdrew without letting anyone from their comrades know about the plan because
they were tired of the illegal and criminal operations conducted by the NPA
group.

Meanwhile, 402nd brigade commander Col. Isidro
Purisima also expressed that they respected the order of ceasefire. “We are in
support of peace talks because as Filipinos we are here to help our fellows to
transform them from being unlawfully armed,” he added.

Col. Purisima said that their peace development
operations had contributed in convincing the NPA members to surrender and start
a new peaceful life.

The former insurgents will be given support through
the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) as they go back to their
respective communities. They will receive each a P15,000 immediate cash
assistance and P50,000 livelihood aid. Another P5,000 will also be given from
the office of the provincial governor of Surigao del Sur. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

'Teambayayong' TWG to visit Lumad communities in
Lianga town

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 21 (PIA) – The
"Teambayayong" Technical Working Group is set to visit Brgy. Diatagon
in Lianga town on Sept. 28, 2016 to conduct consultation and dialogue with the
displaced lumads who have returned to their villages after staying at the
Surigao del Sur Sports Complex for a year.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer
(PSWDO) May Navidad Salinas confirmed during their recent meeting that the TWG,
composed of members from the different line agencies, provincial government of
Surigao del Sur and other stakeholders, will implement its reintegration
program for the lumad communities.

Plans for the rehabilitation and repair of roads
and bridges, proposal to avail for the emergency shelter assistance (ESA),
consultative meeting for the construction of IP school building, and the final
list of the internally displaced persons were among the topics raised during
the meeting.

The issue on the exact number of displaced lumads
were also tackled. For the PSWDO, they have recorded a total of 473 displaced
lumad families while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
Caraga Regional office has more than 700 families.

Salinas explained that the data gathered by their
office was based on the actual assessment inside the Surigao del Sur Sports
Complex during their relief distribution before the lumads went back to their
communities on Sept. 2-3, 2016.

With this conflicting data, it was agreed that the
concerned Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers are required to
submit the final list duly validated and verified by the Barangay Local
Government Unit (BLGU) and endorsed by the concerned local chief executive.

The final listing of the IDPs is essential in order
to proceed for the implementation of reintegration projects and programs,
Salinas concluded. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Project 'Double Barrel' nets 35,911 drug pushers,
users in Caraga

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 21 (PIA) – Since its
implementation on July 1, 2016, a total of 35,911 drug personalities from
various parts of the region have surrendered to police and local authorities
under the intensified Project "Double Barrel" campaign of the
Philippine National Police (PNP).

PSupt. Joseph Boquiren, Deputy Chief of the
Regional Operations and Plans Division of PNP Caraga during the Regional Development
Council – Development Administration Committee (RDC-DAC) third quarter meeting
held on Tuesday, September 20 bared that of the 35,911 surrenderers, 11,419
were all under the watchlist submitted to the PNP, while the 24,492 are
newly-identified drug personalities.

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 21 (PIA) –
In line with the government's efforts to recognize thousands of Filipino
seafarers working here and abroad, the stakeholders of the maritime industry
here are celebrating the National Maritime Week from Sept. 25-30, 2016.

The event, which is anchored on the theme: “Shipping:
Indispensable to the World," is spearheaded by the provincial station of
the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Surigao del Norte, Philippine Ports Authority
(PPA), and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

PPA Surigao port manager Mildred J. Padilla said the
celebration is aimed to give tribute to all the seafarers and stakeholders who
are indispensable to the industry and had contributed much to the country’s
economy.

One of the highlights of the week-long celebration
is the opening of the MARINA Sattelite Office at the Port of San Jose in
Dinagat Islands.

The National Maritime Week is celebrated by virtue
of Proclamation No. 1094, consolidating the celebration of the National
Seafarers Day (NSD), National Maritime Day (NMD) and the National Maritime Week
(NMW), making the celebration more significant and more inspiring.
(SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

DepEd Surigao Norte trains teachers on teaching
guides making

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 21 (PIA) –
Around 66 Science and Math teachers of Surigao del Norte Schools Division were
recently trained on the making of teaching guides for Senior High School Grade
11 students during the Division Walk-Through of Curriculum Guides held here.

The said activity aims to revisit the K to 12
curriculum guide for Grade 11 Science and Math, and capacitiate the newly-hired
teachers on the methodologies of teaching in the academic track. Likewise, the activity
seeks to strengthen the skills of teachers based on their area of
specialization, and prepare teaching guides to improve the learning outcomes of
students.

Said activity also supports the thrust of the HEALS
plus agenda of the provincial government under the leadership of Governor Sol
Matugas in building the capacities of the teachers.

Outputs from the workshops such as teaching guides
were presented to Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division
Superintendent Dr. Fidela Rosas, who shared challenges and valuable insights
during the culminating program. (DepEd-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

No movement in prices of basic commodities, says
DTI

By Maria Lourdes Pizarro-Apego

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 21 (PIA) - The Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Norte assured the consuming public that
there was no movement in the prices of basic commodities in the city since the
declaration of the State of Lawlessness in the country by President Rodrigo R.
Duterte.

According to DTI Agusan del Norte Consumer Welfare
Division Chief Wyn Palma, this was based on the result of the monitoring they
conducted immediately after the declaration until this time.

Palma clarified that the DTI is only in charge of
monitoring the prices of manufactured basic commodities while the Department of
Agriculture monitors the agricultural products such as rice, fish and
vegetables.

Palma also clarified that the current prize freeze
of basic commodities due to the declaration of the state of lawlessness will be
in effect for 60 days unless the president orders it lifted within the period.

"Since the declaration of state of lawlessness
was signed on September 4, 2016, the prize freeze will continue until the first
week of November," Palma said. (Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Agusan del
Norte)